In the Song residence's study stood two cups of clear tea and a burner of aloeswood incense.
Host and guest took their seats.
Song Yue handled the pot himself, pouring a cup for Wei Nisheng and another for himself. As he pushed the cup over, he spoke first:
"Zi'an, since matters have come to this..."
"I invited you here today to speak plainly." Song Yue took a sip of tea.
"On the Ningxia Command Change, I did everything I could at the Cabinet Council.
Shen Duan clung stubbornly to that word 'delay,' while the Upright Officials cared only for their own little reputations for purity...
Ah, as far as the Ministry of War is concerned, I've exhausted every ounce of influence I have."
Wei Nisheng said nothing. He lifted his tea and took a shallow sip.
"I won't conceal anything from you, either." Song Yue set down his cup, lowering his voice.
"What is Shen Duan buying with this 'delay'?
Nothing more than time.
Peng Ding's defeat came so suddenly that he hasn't yet put his pieces in Ningxia in order.
If you let him catch his breath, he'll surely choose another trusted general from the frontier garrisons to fill Peng Ding's vacancy.
Then Ningxia will still belong to his Shen Family, and you won't get so much as a finger on the gates of Gansu."
Here, Song Yue paused and glanced up at Wei Nisheng. The faint undertone in his voice began to show:
"Speaking of which, Zi'an, this was your game of chess to begin with.
When you first came to me, from 'deputy' to 'commander,' one rung at a time, you personally chose the general at every step.
I merely delivered the petition...
Now the petition has been submitted, but the Cabinet Council's decision hangs in the